Badges worn on clothing became popular (especially in England) in the late Middle Ages as a way of showing an association between individuals. Today this tradition has survived perhaps most notably as a badge on school uniforms. While some schools use a Coat of Arms for this purpose, Holy House follows the more traditional para-heraldic practice.

Our badge brings together four visual elements: the Marian cypher which represents Mary the Mother of our Lord, the tavern with bread a symbol of our patron St. Benedict, the Alpha and Omega representing Christ but also alluding to our classical educational tradition, and finally the arms of St. George, recalling the Anglican patrimony as a treasure to be shared.

The Marian cypher or monogram is located in the top quarter and is composed of the letters ‘M’ and ‘R’ which means “Maria Regina (Queen)”. This design can be traced back to the eleventh century. The three points on each of the ends of the monogram remind us of the Holy Trinity.

Below is the black raven holding a disk of white bread recalling our patron St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism. The symbol reminds us that he was nearly poisoned — betrayed by some that he sought to care for. Before Benedict was able to eat, the raven, sent by God, swooped down and took the bread thus rescuing him. The symbol reminds us that we are cared for especially in times of hostility and danger.

The left and right quarters have within them the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These are appropriate for any Christian school because it reminds us most of all of the Lord Jesus’ words in Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Finally, at the centre, we have a shield with the cross upon it. By this symbol we are reminded that our only protection is Jesus Christ Himself. The style of the shield recalls St. George, who was martyred during the Diocletian persecution of AD 303. He refused to recant his Christian faith and his earthly life was taken from him, though of course not his eternal life. St. George’s cross and shield have become associated with the English Church and the Anglican patrimony which we preserve and celebrate at Holy House.

There are three other crosses found on the badge that remind us both of the Holy Trinity and of Calvary, where Jesus was crucified with the two thieves. We are reminded that Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Each of us, like the two thieves, has a choice to make: do we reject Christ, or do we choose Him as the good thief did? “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is our ultimate hope for all of our students and is really the goal for the education they receive at Holy House: that they would choose to follow Jesus and live with Him forever in joy and felicity.